Most Prisoners Preferred Not To Take Part

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30940, 22 December 1965, Page 7

Most Prisoners Preferred Not To Take Part

(Ntw Zealand Preet Association? WELLINGTON, Dec. 21. Most prisoners at Mount Eden preferred not to take part in the prison riots last July, according to the report of the commission of inquiry.

The commissioner, Mr A A Coates, S.M., said in his report:—"l gained a strong impression that a large majority

of the prisoners strongly disapproved of the rioting, burning and destruction which were caused. “I am convinced that trouble

was started by a troubleeome, irresponsible minority, moat <rf whom were aged under 80,” At the height of the riots, the authorities had to accept the “very real possibility of a mass escape,” and that could have been toe object of some of those responsible for the trouble, srid the report. The riot ringleaders “would driight In any serious embarrassment caused to the authorities by their actions, particularly when the risk of detection wm slight

“Some of those whom 1 Interviewed condemned toe actions of this minority group because of toe grave risk to the Uvea of prisoners resulting from the fierce fires which were deliberately started, and because of the wanton destruction of property.”

It was “only fair" to point out that many prisoners who disapproved took no part in the disturbances.

MC a-j- a cyonMi os uran sppTßcnKvci the futility of this performance, which, for them, lus resulted in discomfort, toss of pereoori belongings* deprivations of privileges and transfers to institutions away from Auckland where they cannot be regularly visited,” srid the report. "Naturally, they resent this quite unnecessary interference with the pattern of drily life which they had come to accept”